
Full Answer
How much does it cost to build a golf course?
The total cost can vary greatly depending on the size and type of course, but the average cost of construction materials for a golf course can be $10,000 to $24,000 per acre. On average, golf course construction costs are $33,000 to $75,000 per acre, and the average cost of maintenance for a golf course is $250,000 per year.
What is the average cost to run a golf course?
The $3.8 million Doyle paid for the course, in Florida’s third-biggest market, is slightly more than the average purchase price ($3.1 million) for the 114 golf course sales tracked by Leisure Investment Properties Group last year. And the majority of transactions in the current environment involve first-time buyers, like Doyle.
How much land to build a golf course?
How Much Does It Cost To Build A Golf Course?
- Mobilization. Mobilizing the team to construct the course can cost anywhere from $10,000, requiring minimal work up to $100,000 for an elite course.
- Layout and Staking. ...
- Erosion Control. ...
- Clearing and Grubbing. ...
- Topsoil Strip. ...
- Rock Blasting. ...
- Earthmoving. ...
- Topsoil Replacement. ...
- Drainage. ...
- Irrigation and Pump Station. ...
How to build a homemade mini golf course?
Miniature Golf (Putt Putt) Course
- Materials. Purchase or scrounge the material. ...
- Build the Bases. Build 4 by 8 rectangles with pressure treated 2x4s. ...
- Create Bases for the Courses. For each course, we dug 4 post holes to the frost level (one post hole for each corner of the rectangle).
- Mount Rectangular Bases Onto the 4x4 Foundation. ...
- Put on the Carpet. ...
- Finishing Touches. ...

How much money does it take to build a golf course?
The median cost to build a golf course is $14 million, not including buying the land. The lowest-priced golf courses cost $7 million. Others cost as much as $25 million. Building greens is one of the most important tasks, and it can cost as much as $60 per square foot.
How much land does it take to build a golf course?
“This means an 18-hole course of all short par 3s could be built on as little as 30 acres, while an intermediate length or executive course of 18 holes of par 3s and 4s would require 75-100 acres, and a full size par 72 course would need 120-200 acres.
Is building a golf course a good investment?
Profitable golf courses are generally selling for six to eight times EBITDA, while courses that aren't profitable tend to sell at 0.8 to 1.4 times revenue.
How many acres is a typical golf course?
150 acresAt the individual level, an average 18-hole golf course covers 150 acres, approximately 100 (67 percent) of which is maintained turfgrass. This area is predominantly comprised of rough (51 acres) and fairways (30 acres).
How do they design golf courses?
Modern courses now tend to be designed with the front 9 and the back 9 positioned on separate loops beginning and ending at the clubhouse. This has been put into place to be more convenient to golfers if they choose to play just 9 holes, or wish to take a break in the club in between holes 1-9 and 10-18.
What goes into building a golf course?
The Cost of Building a Golf CourseConstruction ItemsMinimalist CourseUp-Scale CourseTopsoil Replacement40,000240,000Storm Drainage10,000500,000Golf Drainage20,000150,000Irrigation + Pumpstation130,000910,00017 more rows
How much money does it take annually to maintain a perfect golf course?
The cost to achieve the condition players expect — or will tolerate — ranges from about $500,000 a year for a daily-fee course to $1,000,000 a year for a private club, estimates Bob Randquist, chief operating officer of the Golf Course Superintendent's Association of America.
What is the profit margin on golf clubs?
After all expenses, the best golf retailers rarely profit more than 2-3% of the total cost of a club. However, as a whole, we can say that around 33.33% of the cost of a golf club is the markup from the retailer.
How do golf businesses make money?
How To Make Money Playing Golf (Top 5 Ways)Get a Job as a Golf Pro. ... Play in Golf Tournaments. ... Place Friendly Bets with Your Friends. ... Become a Mystery Shopper. ... Get Sponsorships/Become an Influencer.
How much water do golf courses use?
In California, an average 18-hole golf course sprawls over 110 to 115 acres and conservatively uses almost 90 million gallons of water per year, enough to fill 136 Olympic-size swimming pools, said Mike Huck, a water management consultant who works with golf courses statewide.
How many acres is Augusta golf course?
345-acreSince 1934, once a year in the spring, eyes around the world focus on a 345-acre plot of grass, trees and greenery in Augusta, Georgia.
What is the world's largest golf course?
From the tips, Erin Hills -- the site of this year's U.S. Open -- spans over 7,800 yards.
How Much Land Does It Take To Build A Golf Course?
How much to build a golf course depends significantly on the cost of the land. An average 18-hole golf course requires approximately 140 and 180 acres, while a 9-hole course requires 70 and 100 acres. A 9-hole par-3 course can be built on as little as 65 acres, while an 18-hole pitch and putt require around 25 to 30 acres.
How Much Does It Cost To Build A Golf Course?
In 2001, Michigan State University found that the median cost to build a golf course was $14 million. But it varied between $7 and $25 million. It is difficult to provide an exact cost to the question, how much is it to build a golf course since there are many options and expenses.
FAQs
Owning a golf course can be quite profitable and rewarding if the construction costs can be kept low without sacrificing quality.
Golf Championships on SMGD courses
At Close House – Colt Course. Sept 2017. A prestigious European Tour Championship hosted by Lee Westwood.
The Cost of Building a Golf Course
It’s one of the most difficult questions to answer, but one of the most commonly asked, how much does it cost to build a golf course? The answer depends on a variety of factors; three of the most important being, what type of course the client wants, what type of land the course is to be built upon, and the competency of the golf course architect.
What are the types of projects undertaken by golf course architects?
The types of projects undertaken by golf course architects can be categorised into three principle fields of activity: New build - the design of new golf courses and golfing facilities usually requiring planning permits, detailed design work, contractor selection, construction inspection, financial evaluations and payment approvals.
What is included in a golf course project?
A golf course project may include infrastructure, maintenance equipment and buildings, club house, driving range (equipment, fencing and shelters), assorted legal, design and surveyor fees, etc. For the purposes of this guidance "construction costs" are defined by the work designed and specified by the golf course architect in his/her construction ...
Why do private developers prefer fixed fee?
Private developers, commercial operators and members clubs tend to prefer fixed price fees as they enable the design fees to be capped. Time rates – a project may require a golf course architect to visit a site, give advice, attend meetings which have not been included in other fee proposals, or carry out additional design work not specifically ...
Does each golf course architect have a schedule?
Each golf course architect will have his/her own schedule which will be agreed with you. The contract may be broken down into stages which are reflected in a payment schedule (the letters relate to the Schedule of Services – click on the icon to download).
What are the factors that determine the cost of a golf course?
Golf course design fees are dependent on a variety of factors, such as the type and scale of the project, its technical complexity, the planning approval process, the working practices of the individual golf course architect and the services and conditions imposed by clients.
How are golf course fees calculated?
Fees are usually calculated in one of three ways: As a percentage of the construction costs. A fixed price. A time rate. To understand more about the amount you will need to invest in engaging a golf course architect, read our advice on golf course design fees. Download:
What is a golf course architect?
Your golf course architect will provide a detailed design package to reflect local planning submission requirements and make the planning process easier. Your golf course architect will also assist with the preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment should it be required.
Who develops a master plan for golf course?
The masterplan should be developed by a project team, which is usually led by the golf course architect and typically includes some or all of these specialisms: Your golf course architect will provide a detailed design package to reflect local planning submission requirements and ease the planning process. Land Planner.
What are the physical elements of a golf course?
Technical – is the site you are considering suitable for a golf course? A golf course architect will examine the physical elements of the site, such as land area, topography, soils, geology, vegetation, drainage and water availability.

Types of Projects
Golf Course Design & Consultancy Fees
- The investment you need to make in golf course design fees is usually calculated in one of three ways: 1. Percentage fees – the percentage figure used to calculate the design fee is inversely proportional to the construction cost* - the higher the construction cost of the project the smaller the fee percentage. The technical complexity and extent o...
Golf Course Design Fees Stage Payments
- Each golf course architect will have his/her own schedule which will be agreed with you. The contract may be broken down into stages which are reflected in a payment schedule (the letters relate to the Schedule of Services – click on the icon to download). Design Phase: Appointment of Architect (*A) Feasibility and Routing (*B) Design & Planning Permits (*C) Specifications and Te…
Site Visits and Expenses
- Your golf course architect will need to visit the site frequently in order to keep the development on track. Whether this is daily, weekly or monthly depends on a number of factors, including: permit requirements, size of budget, technical complexity, location, scale of project, precise conditions of contract, your own requirements, the presence of full-time project management staff and other e…